Search Results (292)

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with over 60% of Americans drinking it daily. This review examines coffee’s multifaceted impact on health and well-being, drawing on decades of research. Overall, the consensus is that moderate coffee intake is more beneficial than harmful across a wide range of health outcomes. Numerous large-scale, prospective cohort studies from around the world have consistently shown that moderate coffee consumption—typically three to five cups per day—is associated with reduced overall mortality and lower risk of major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, respiratory conditions, cognitive decline, and potentially several types of cancer, including liver and uterine cancers. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have shown benefits. The addition of sugar and cream to coffee may attenuate coffee’s positive health effects. Despite historical concerns, coffee consumption is not linked to increased risks of cancer, hypertension, or arrhythmia. However, some concerns remain. For pregnant women, coffee consumption should be limited to lower amounts, such that the daily intake of caffeine does not exceed 200 mg/day. Also, excessive caffeinated coffee intake may cause anxiety or sleep disturbances. Coffee’s health-promoting mechanisms include improved glucose balancing, increased physical activity, increased fat oxidation, improved lung function, and reduced inflammation. Beyond mortality and chronic diseases, coffee consumption affects many aspects of well-being: it supports hydration, boosts mental acuity, enhances physical performance, and may aid bowel recovery after surgery. While the field is well-studied via long-term observational cohorts, future research should focus on randomized controlled trials, Mendelian randomization studies, and granular analyses of coffee types and additives. Full article

In the present study, 96 teams’ performances across 48 matches in the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 were analyzed. Teams scoring first won 62.5% of matches (p < 0.05), while goals were evenly distributed between halves (p > 0.05) and showed marginal variation across six 15 min intervals, peaking near the 30–45 and 75–90 min marks. Parametric analyses revealed a significant effect of match outcome on possession, with winning teams exhibiting higher average possession (53.3%) compared to losing and drawing teams. Non-parametric analyses identified significant differences between match outcomes for goals scored, attempts at goal, total and completed passes, pass completion rate, defensive line breaks, receptions in the final third, ball progressions, defensive pressures, and total distance covered. Winning teams scored more goals and registered more attempts on target than losing teams, although some metrics showed no significant difference between wins and draws. Logistic regression analysis identified attempts at goal on target, defensive pressures, total completed passes, total distance covered, and receptions in the final third as significant predictors of match success (AUC = 0.85), correctly classifying 80.2% of match outcomes. These results emphasized the crucial role of offensive accuracy and possession dominance in achieving success in elite football. Full article

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the external load demands of players from the Spanish women’s national football teams across the U-17, U-20, and senior categories during their respective FIFA World Cup participations. Key kinematic variables were assessed via global positioning systems (GPS), including total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR; ≥18 km·h⁻¹), sprint distance (≥21 km·h⁻¹), accelerations (>3 m·s⁻²), decelerations (<–3 m·s⁻²), and high metabolic load distance (HMLD) during 3 world cups (U17, U20 and senior). Significant differences were observed between the senior team and both U-20 and U-17 in nearly all variables, with greater magnitude as the intensity of the metrics increased, showing effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large (d = 0.95 to 4.76). Positional analysis by categories showed that senior full backs (FB) and central midfielders (CM) showed higher demands compared to U-20 and U-17. For TD, senior covered more than U-17 (FB: p = 0.001; d = 1.11 | CM: p = 0.023; d = 0.97), with small differences vs. U-20 (d ≤ 0.54). In HSR, both positions outperformed U-17 and U-20 (FB: p ≤ 0.007; d = 0.87–1.15 | CM: p ≤ 0.031; d = 0.71–1.11). In HMLD, both FB and CM displayed very large differences compared to U-17 and U-20 (all p < 0.001; d = 2.54–6.16). These findings underscore the need for progressive development of locomotor capacities from early stages, considering both age category and playing position, to facilitate a more seamless transition to elite-level football. Full article

This study aims to investigate the release of potentially toxic elements from disposable paper and plastic cups when exposed to hot water, simulating the scenario of their use in hot beverage consumption, and to assess the associated health risks. By using ICP-MS, twelve potentially toxic elements, namely As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn, were determined in leachates, revealing significant variability in mass fractions between paper and plastic cups, with plastic cups demonstrating greater leaching potential. Health risk assessments, including hazard quotient (HQ) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), indicated minimal non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for most elements, except Pb, which posed elevated non-carcinogenic risk, especially in plastic cups. Children showed higher relative exposure levels compared to adults due to their lower body weights (the HQ in children is two times greater than in adults). Overall, the findings of the current study underscore the need for stricter monitoring and regulation of materials used in disposable cups, especially plastic ones, to mitigate potential health risks. Future investigations should assess the leaching behavior of potentially toxic elements under conditions that accurately mimic real-world usage. Such investigations ought to incorporate a systematic evaluation of diverse temperature regimes, varying exposure durations, and different beverage types. Full article

This study examines how international mega-events have adapted to post-pandemic conditions, with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and the integration of public health. Employing a qualitative comparative case study design, the analysis spans events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Lollapalooza, and NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race. Drawing on numerous secondary sources, the study explores shifts in infrastructure planning, socio-cultural engagement, marketing strategies, and environmental practices. The findings reveal a pivot toward modular infrastructure, hybrid formats, and community-centered governance. The research contributes to event management theory by highlighting emergent adaptive strategies and offering a framework for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable mega-event planning. Full article

Proper nutrition is a fundamental aspect to maintaining overall health and well-being, influencing both physical and social aspects of human life; an unbalanced or inadequate diet can lead to various nutritional deficiencies and chronic health conditions. In today’s fast-paced world, monitoring nutritional intake has become increasingly important, particularly for those with specific dietary needs. While smartphone-based applications using image recognition have simplified food tracking, they still rely heavily on user interaction and raise concerns about practicality and privacy. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel, compact spectroscopic sensing platform for automatic beverage recognition. The system utilizes the AS7265x commercial sensor to capture the spectral signature of beverages, combined with a K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) machine learning algorithm for classification. The approach is designed for integration into everyday objects, such as smart glasses or cups, offering a noninvasive and user-friendly alternative to manual tracking. Through optimization of both the sensor configuration and KNN parameters, we identified a reduced set of four wavelengths that achieves over 96% classification accuracy across a diverse range of common beverages. This demonstrates the potential for embedding accurate, low-power, and cost-efficient sensors into Internet of Things (IoT) devices for real-time nutritional monitoring, reducing the need for user input while enhancing accessibility and usability. Full article

Background: This retrospective, multi-reader, blinded, pivotal trial assessed the performance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support system used to improve the clinician detection of emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) using brain non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) images. Methods: We enrolled 477 patients, of which 112 had anterior circulation ELVO, and 365 served as controls. First, patients were evaluated by the consensus of four clinicians without AI assistance through the identification of ELVO using NCCT images. After a 2-week washout period, the same investigators performed an AI-assisted evaluation. The primary and secondary endpoints in ELVO prediction between unassisted and assisted readings were sensitivity and specificity and AUROC and individual-level sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The standalone predictive ability of the AI system was also analyzed. Results: The assisted evaluations resulted in higher sensitivity and specificity than the unassisted evaluations at 75.9% vs. 92.0% (p < 0.01) and 83.0% vs. 92.6% (p < 0.01) while also resulting in higher accuracy and AUROC at 81.3% vs. 92.5%, (p < 0.01) and 0.87 [95% CI: 0.84–0.90] vs. 0.95 [95% CI: 0.93–0.97] (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the AI system improved sensitivity and specificity for three and four readers, respectively, and had a standalone sensitivity of 88.4% (95% CI: 81.0–93.7) and a specificity of 91.2% (95% CI: 87.9–93.9). Conclusions: This study shows that an AI-based clinical decision support system can improve the clinical detection of ELVO using NCCT. Moreover, the AI system may facilitate acute stroke reperfusion therapy by assisting physicians in the initial triaging of patients, particularly in thrombectomy-incapable centers. Full article

This study aimed to compare in-match physical and technical requirements of cerebral palsy (CP) football players across different national and international competitive contexts. A total of 79 male outfield players participated in 62 official matches across 3 competitive phases of the Spanish National CP Football League (Regular Phase, Consolation Phase, and Playoffs) and the IFCPF World Cup. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) were used to record locomotor and technical variables during each match. A subset of 10 players was tracked across all phases. Physical demands were normalized per minute of play and analyzed using one-way and repeated-measures ANOVAs. Results revealed that physical requirements during the World Cup were up to three times higher than during national-level matches, with significantly greater maximum velocities, high-intensity distances, and frequencies of accelerations and decelerations (p < 0.001, ηp² > 0.40). Playoffs also imposed significantly greater physical requirements compared to Regular and Consolation Phases. International matches showed a markedly higher number of ball contacts, indicating increased technical involvement. These patterns were consistent in both the full sample and the longitudinal subsample, suggesting that competitive level—rather than player characteristics alone— strongly modulates physical output during the competition. These findings underscore the need for context-specific training and load management strategies to prepare athletes for the elevated demands of high-level CP football competition. Full article

Background: Current advanced metrics do not sufficiently isolate and quantify the quality of the shooter’s technical execution under match conditions. Objective: This study aimed to develop an Expected Shot Impact Timing (xSIT) model to evaluate the shooting action by considering the spatial configuration of the shooter, the goalkeeper (GK), and all outfield players, as well as incorporating dynamic variables such as ball velocity and player reaction time. Additionally, this study sought to compare the performance and discriminative capacity of two existing post-shot expected goal metrics (xSIT and xGOT, expected goals on target) in evaluating the probability of scoring for shots on target after the moment of execution. Methods: Formal definitions were established for the following: (i) the ball shot location, (ii) the ball velocity, (iii) the GK location, and (iv) the outfield player’s location. An xSIT model incorporating geometric parameters was designed to optimize performance based on ball position and players’ position. The model was tested using all shots from the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2022 Men’s World Cup. A 5-fold cross-validation procedure was applied to evaluate the x SIT model’s performance, and an independent Student’s t-test was performed to statistically compare the performance of the xSIT and xGOT models. Results: The k-fold cross-validation yielded an AUC-ROC score of 0.92 and 84% accuracy, confirming the model’s ability to differentiate successful shooter performance. Statistically and clinically significant differences were observed between the xSIT and xGOT metrics across all analyzed variables, including total shots on target, goal shots, and saved shots (p < 0.001 in all cases). Conclusions: The xSIT metric offers a more nuanced and context-sensitive assessment of shot execution by the shooter, representing a significant advancement over existing post-shot evaluation models. Significant differences were observed between men’s and women’s tournaments. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different walking speeds on shoulder and elbow joint kinematics, specifically focusing on range of motion, angular velocity, and angular acceleration during arm swing. The natural rhythm of human gait was studied to develop an effective mechanical interface, particularly with respect to joint impedance and force controllability. The independent variable in this study was walking speed, operationalized at four levels—3.6 km/h (slow), 4.2 km/h (preferred walking speed, PWS), 5.4 km/h (normal), and 7.2 km/h (fast)—and defined as a within-subject factor. The dependent variables consisted of quantitative kinematic parameters, including joint range of motion (ROM, in degrees), peak and minimum joint angular velocity (deg/s), and peak and minimum joint angular acceleration (deg/s²). For each subject, data from twenty gait cycles were extracted for analysis. The kinematic variables of the shoulder and elbow were analyzed, showing increasing trends as the walking speed increased. As walking speed increases, adequate arm swing contributes to gait stability and energy efficiency. Notably, the ROM of shoulder was slightly reduced at the PWS compared to the slowest speed (3.6 km/h), which may reflect more natural and coordinated limb movements at the PWS. Dynamic covariation of torque patterns in the shoulder and elbow joints was observed, reflecting a synergistic coordination between these joints in response to human body movement. Full article

Introduction: Caffeine, in the form of coffee, tea and energy drinks, is recognised as the world’s most utilised psychoactive substance and consumed by approximately 80% of the global population daily. Emerging studies have suggested a more complex relationship in terms of the mental health outcomes that can arise after consumption. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to explore the effects of caffeine consumption on the risk of suicide attempts, ideation and self-harm. Methods: This PRISMA-adherent systematic review involved a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO for all studies that evaluated the effects of caffeine consumption on the risk of suicide attempts, ideation and self-harm. Random effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were used for primary analysis. Results: Seventeen studies were included. The results demonstrated that coffee consumption of more than 60 cups per month significantly decreases the risk of suicide attempts. In contrast, energy drink consumption from as low as one cup per month was significantly associated with an increased risk of both suicide attempts and ideation. Meta-regression demonstrated a strong association between the dosage consumed and suicidality outcomes. Systematic review highlighted that male gender and substance usage significantly increased caffeine consumption. Conclusion: The results studied the associations between coffee and energy drink intake with suicide risk and suicidal ideation. Coffee intake was associated with reduced odds of suicide ideation and attempts, while consuming energy drinks was associated with an increased risk of both adverse outcomes. Further studies would be essential to elucidate the psychosocial factors and causative links underlying this association. Understanding the relationship between caffeine consumption and mental health outcomes is crucial to develop public health strategies to boost the mental health of consumers. Full article

According to the World Health Organization, malocclusion type III is third, most important oral health problem. It may be the least prevalent malocclusion, but it is the most noticeable and challenging for orthodontic therapy. With this narrative review, we wanted to give a summation of the most current knowledge about diagnostics, different therapy options, limitations, and additional factors that can influence the therapy of class III malocclusion to help clinicians and researchers focus on the specific approaches. Therapy options were divided into the following groups: orthopedic, orthodontic, and surgical. The SNA, SNB, and ANB angles (cephalometric values) are the best ones to examine improvements in different skeletal improvements, while dentoalveolar improvements were also described, emphasizing the limitation of orthopedic therapy to change the skeletal discrepancy. Eruption-guided appliances and chin cups are more effective in early childhood, mixed dentition, during permanent teeth eruption, with no significant skeletal discrepancy. If a discrepancy exists, a face mask is the first therapy choice. The therapy of an underdeveloped maxilla can be solved with different palate expanders. Bulkiness, lack of long-term results, and duration of therapy make fixed orthodontic appliances with braces and elastic traction favorable nowadays. If the skeletal discrepancy is major, a surgical approach should be considered. One of the main limitations in articles is the combination of different therapy approaches, ages, and dentition preferred for device application, duration of therapy, and lack of information about long-term outcomes. On the other hand, the lack of original articles is noticeable, so further research should be done. Full article

Many studies are being conducted on the detection of nitrosamine impurities in solid formulations. However, research on semi-solid formulations such as gels, ointments and creams is not common. In particular, excipients used to increase viscosity and add fragrance can significantly impact the sample preparation. Volatile compounds derived from natural fragrances are composed of a wide variety of complex components, making them very difficult to handle and completely separate from the analytes. Due to the complex composition of these formulations, an analytical method was developed to accurately separate and analyze nine nitrosamine impurities (NDMA, NDEA, NMEA, NDPA, NDBA, NPIP, NMOR, DIPNA and EIPNA) simultaneously. To overcome challenges in the sample preparation of excipients with physical and chemical properties, the sample was prepared using solvents such as methanol, hexane, water and dichloromethane. The target analytes were extracted with dichloromethane for the final preparation for GC–MS/MS and the optimal conditions were established. While multiple GC columns were tested, peak overlapping interferences were observed, leading to the use of a 60m-long column to overcome peak overlap. The GC–MS/MS condition was set for optimal performance and ionization energy, with parameters adjusted for each analyte. The developed method was validated in accordance with guidelines to ensure its reliability and suitability. As a result, all nine nitrosamine impurities were simultaneously analyzed, confirming excellent performance. The sample preparation method and procedure, column specification and GC–MS/MS conditions have the potential to be adapted not only for semi-solid formulations of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics but also for other formulations such as solid and liquid samples, rendering them suitable for the analysis of nitrosamine impurities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite recent advances in minimally invasive extrapleural lateral approaches, oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) at the upper lumbar level is often difficult and limited to optimal reconstruction. We aimed to compare the radiological outcomes and approach-related complications of OLIF between the upper (L1–2 or L2–3) and lower (L3–4 or L4–5) levels. Methods: This study is a retrospective review of OLIF in the upper (n = 63) and lower (n = 60) lumbar level groups. Radiological parameters included the anterior/posterior disc height, coronal/sagittal disc angle, cage position, cage subsidence, and fusion rate at a postoperative 1-year follow-up. Approach-related complications including pleural/peritoneal lacerations, neurovascular injury, and other organ injuries were examined. Results: The baseline radiological parameters were similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). At 1-year postoperatively, the anterior disc height (ADH) was significantly greater in the lower-level group (p = 0.031), while no significant differences were observed in the posterior disc height, coronal/sagittal disc angle, cage anterior position, or cage subsidence rate (all p > 0.05). The fusion rates were 97.9% and 95.0% at the upper and lower lumbar levels, respectively (p = 0.146). During OLIF at the upper lumbar level, chest tube insertion due to pleural laceration was observed in 11 (17.5%) cases. One case (1.2%) of segmental artery injury and two cases (3.2%) of pseudo-hernia were attributed to iliohypogastric nerve injury. Conclusions: Although the extrapleural approach in OLIF at the upper lumbar level is often limited, the radiological outcomes were comparable to those of OLIF at the lower lumbar level. Full article

City branding is crucial for shaping urban identity and global stature. Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia across Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom offers a chance to infuse ecological, cultural, and aesthetic elements into urban landscapes. This study introduces a hybrid framework for plant scheme design that blends native, adaptive, and ornamental species to enhance biodiversity and visual appeal. It analyzes case studies from Expo 2020 Dubai, Sydney Olympic Park, and Gardens by the Bay, demonstrating how landscape architecture can unite sustainability with cultural and aesthetic values. The application in Saudi Arabia’s cities customizes plant choices to local climates and cultural contexts, with a focus on Al Khobar showing successful integration of coastal resilience and heritage. This approach provides a scalable, scientifically grounded method for incorporating ecological and cultural elements into cityscapes, promoting sustainable urban development during global events. Full article